Rowbotham, Darran

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Rowbotham began his career as a youth player with Plymouth Argyle, and turned professional with the club in November 1984.

He made 46 league appearances (24 of them as substitute) and scored two goals.

He was part of the transfer deal that took Nicky Marker from Exeter City to Plymouth in October 1987, Rowbotham going in the opposite direction, and he struggled to make an impact early on at St James’ Park.

Making his debut against Hereford United at Edgar Street in October 1987, he scored two goals in 23 league appearances in his first season at St James’ Park.

Converted to a front runner for the following season, Rowbotham was a revelation as he went on to top the scoring with 20 league goals.

A key player in Exeter winning the Fourth Division title in the 1989-90 season with 20 goals in just 32 league outings his goalscoring had linked him with possible moves to top-flight football.

However, he sustained a serious knee injury which kept him out of football for a year.

After four years at Exeter, where he scored 58 goals in 142 games in all competitions, he joined Torquay United for a fee of £25,000.

Only four months later he moved on again, following his former Exeter manager Terry Cooper to Birmingham City for a fee of £20,000.

He scored six goals in 36 league matches for Birmingham, but also had loan spells with Mansfield Town (December 1992) and Hereford United (March 1993).

Rowbotham signed for Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer in July 1993 and enjoyed a successful time there netting 21 goals in 61 league outings.

He them moved to neighbours, Shrewsbury Town in July 1995 adding a further 9 goals in 40 league appearances.

He returned to Exeter for a second spell at the club in October 1996 and again was amongst the goals, scoring 37 times in 118 league appearances.

Many City fans were unhappy when he was allowed to join Leyton Orient on month’s loan in November 1999, and he was subsequently released on a free transfer at the end of the 1999-2000 season.

He ended his playing career by signing for Weymouth in the Southern league, playing in the same team as his brother, Jason.

In 2010 he was living in Kingsteignton and was working for Leyland Daf in Heathfield.